Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1524: RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition and mandatory fees to a resident student enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition/fee waivers for teacher education students, directly reducing costs to support future educators and strengthen teacher pipeline funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2138: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for graduate degrees at UH, increasing access to higher education funding for National Guard personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance to graduate degrees for Hawaii National Guard members, directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans as a subset of service members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 843: RELATING TO THE COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds for critical repairs, maintenance, demolition, design, and construction for facilities of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the University of Hawaii for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for college facility repairs, construction, and staffing, directly supporting higher education infrastructure and operations at University of Hawaii.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2304: RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies private tuition as conditional gifts supporting educational advancements, enabling donor support without contractual obligations, thus facilitating educational funding mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1455: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a university center (higher education), directly funding an educational institution to establish a new research center.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to establish a Center for Climate Resilient Development at UH's SOEST, directly advancing climate change research and environmental resilience efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 814: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Allows certain undocumented students to be considered residents of the State for the purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and University of Hawaii program participation under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for undocumented students by enabling resident tuition rates and financial aid eligibility, directly advancing educational access under the topic.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows undocumented students access to in-state tuition and financial aid, aligning with DACA protections and immigrant integration services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education DACA & Dreamers

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 617: RELATING TO NURSING.

HB 617 appropriates state funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects UH Maui College students and nursing education in Maui County by creating a new academic pathway for nursing degrees. Its key provision is the allocation of dedicated state funding to develop and operate this specific degree program. The bill does not alter existing nursing regulations or licensure requirements, focusing solely on program establishment through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for a new BSN program at UH Maui College, directly expanding higher education access and funding for nursing education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds BSN program at UH Maui College, directly supporting nursing workforce development and healthcare education through state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 171: RELATING TO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

SB 171 expands the Hawaii Community College Promise Program to provide scholarships to all qualified students attending community colleges in Hawaii, directly affecting eligible residents seeking affordable higher education. The bill appropriates state funds to cover tuition and fees for qualifying students, removing previous restrictions that limited eligibility. Key provisions include broadening access beyond current program participants and ensuring state funding supports this expanded coverage. This policy change aims to increase college affordability for a wider range of Hawaii students without altering academic requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Hawaii Community College Promise Program to all qualified students via state funding, removing eligibility restrictions to broaden higher education access and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 636: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for retention/internship coordinators and enrollment initiatives at UH Hilo, directly enhancing student support services and access in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 657: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish a university center, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAppropriates funds to establish a climate resilience center focused on climate change adaptation, directly advancing environmental protection efforts through dedicated funding and research.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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